Richardson shopping center sprouts fresh upgrade with new market

Richardson shopping center sprouts fresh upgrade with new market

New farmers market in Richardson will include local produce.
Photo by Shelby Hodge

A Dallas-area farmers market group has big plans for expansion, beginning with a new venue in Richardson.

The Four Seasons Markets group is launching the Belt Line Farmers Market, a new outdoor market at Dal-Rich Towne Square, formerly Dal-Rich Village, at Coit and Belt Line roads. It will debut on April 3, and will be open on Sundays year-round, from 10 am to 3 pm.

The company says it also has plans to open five more markets in North Texas this spring. It's partnered with real estate developers, including Weitzman Realty Group/Cencor Realty and Regency Centers, to open more markets and create additional foot traffic for existing and future tenants.

"Our goal is to create a venue where small business owners will promote artisan food products, fresh locally grown and organic produce, plus a variety of unique handmade products," says Vincent Hirth, Four Seasons Markets CEO.

More than 50 years old, Dal-Rich Village is a Richardson landmark and was one of the first big centers in the northern suburbs. It was formerly home to a Whole Foods Market, which is now the Richardson Mercantile market. Its owners are committed to keeping it robust, and re-named it in 2014.

The market was originally considered for the Richardson Heights Shopping Center, but got scuttled after some of the businesses there protested.

The market will also host a food court with purveyors such as Jac Jac's SmokeStack BBQ, Jamaica Cabana, and Tamales Over Texas.

Four Seasons Markets defines its markets as "European-style," with a goal of providing handmade items produced by local growers and artisans. It currently manages two markets in North Dallas: The Campbell Rd. Farmers Market at Campbell and Floyd roads in Richardson is open on Saturdays and hosts more than 65 local vendors. The Carrollton Farmers Market at Josey Lane and George Bush Turnpike is open on Sunday with more than 60 regular vendors.

Five more outdoor markets are planned to debut in April and May, with locations still to be announced.